A base station transmits control message(s) to a wireless device configuring secondary cell(s). Each of the secondary cells is assigned to a cell group in a plurality of cell groups comprising a primary cell group and at least one secondary cell group. The control message(s) comprise dedicated parameters. If dedicated parameters comprise a cell group index for the secondary cell, the wireless device assigns the secondary cell to one of the at least one secondary cell group identified by the cell group index. Otherwise, the wireless device assigns the secondary cell to the primary cell group.
Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.
1. A method comprising: a) transmitting, by a base station, at least one control message to a wireless device in a plurality of wireless devices, said at least one control message: i) configured to cause in said wireless device: (1) configuration of a plurality of cells comprising at least one secondary cell; and (2) assignment of each of said at least one secondary cell to a cell group in a plurality of cell groups, said plurality of cell groups comprising: (a) a primary cell group comprising a first subset of said plurality of cells, said first subset comprising a primary cell, uplink transmissions by said wireless device in said primary cell group employing a first synchronization signal transmitted on said primary cell; and (b) at least one secondary cell group, a first secondary cell group in said at least one secondary cell group comprising a second subset of said at least one secondary cell, uplink transmissions in said secondary cell group employing a second synchronization signal on an activated secondary cell in said first secondary cell group as a secondary timing reference; and ii) comprising a plurality of dedicated parameters specific to said wireless device, said plurality of dedicated parameters comprising a sequence of at least one first information element, each of said at least one first information element comprising: a first cell group index of a first secondary cell group and a first time alignment timer for said first secondary cell group, wherein for each of said at least one secondary cell: (1) if said plurality of dedicated parameters comprise a cell group index for said secondary cell, assigning said secondary cell to one of said at least one secondary cell group identified by said cell group index; and (2) otherwise, assigning said secondary cell to said primary cell group; b) receiving, by said base station, a random access preamble on random access resources of a secondary cell in said secondary cell group; and c) transmitting a random access response comprising a timing advance command for said secondary cell group.
A base station manages wireless communication by sending control messages to devices, configuring multiple cells including secondary cells. These secondary cells are assigned to cell groups, either a primary cell group or secondary cell groups. The primary cell group uses a primary cell's synchronization signal for uplink transmissions. Secondary cell groups use a synchronization signal from an activated secondary cell as a timing reference. Control messages include dedicated parameters with cell group indexes. If a secondary cell has a cell group index in the parameters, it's assigned to that secondary cell group; otherwise, it's assigned to the primary cell group. The base station receives a random access preamble from a secondary cell group and responds with a timing advance command for that group.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein said primary cell group is identified by an index equal to zero.
In the method described in Claim 1 (A base station manages wireless communication by sending control messages to devices, configuring multiple cells including secondary cells. These secondary cells are assigned to cell groups, either a primary cell group or secondary cell groups. The primary cell group uses a primary cell's synchronization signal for uplink transmissions. Secondary cell groups use a synchronization signal from an activated secondary cell as a timing reference. Control messages include dedicated parameters with cell group indexes. If a secondary cell has a cell group index in the parameters, it's assigned to that secondary cell group; otherwise, it's assigned to the primary cell group. The base station receives a random access preamble from a secondary cell group and responds with a timing advance command for that group.), the primary cell group is assigned a cell group index value of zero.
3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising transmitting, by said base station, a timing advance command to said wireless device, said timing advance command configured to cause substantial alignment of reception timing of uplink signals in frames and subframes of a cell group at said base station, said timing advance command comprising an index identifying said cell group.
The method described in Claim 1 (A base station manages wireless communication by sending control messages to devices, configuring multiple cells including secondary cells. These secondary cells are assigned to cell groups, either a primary cell group or secondary cell groups. The primary cell group uses a primary cell's synchronization signal for uplink transmissions. Secondary cell groups use a synchronization signal from an activated secondary cell as a timing reference. Control messages include dedicated parameters with cell group indexes. If a secondary cell has a cell group index in the parameters, it's assigned to that secondary cell group; otherwise, it's assigned to the primary cell group. The base station receives a random access preamble from a secondary cell group and responds with a timing advance command for that group.) further includes the base station transmitting a timing advance command to the wireless device, which is designed to align the uplink signal reception timing at the base station for a specific cell group. The timing advance command contains an index that identifies which cell group the timing adjustment applies to.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein said at least one control message comprises at least one cell-add-modify information element, each of said at least one cell-add-modify information element comprises a first plurality of dedicated parameters in said plurality of dedicated parameters, said first plurality of dedicated parameters comprising a first cell index for a first secondary cell in said at least one secondary cell.
In the method described in Claim 1 (A base station manages wireless communication by sending control messages to devices, configuring multiple cells including secondary cells. These secondary cells are assigned to cell groups, either a primary cell group or secondary cell groups. The primary cell group uses a primary cell's synchronization signal for uplink transmissions. Secondary cell groups use a synchronization signal from an activated secondary cell as a timing reference. Control messages include dedicated parameters with cell group indexes. If a secondary cell has a cell group index in the parameters, it's assigned to that secondary cell group; otherwise, it's assigned to the primary cell group. The base station receives a random access preamble from a secondary cell group and responds with a timing advance command for that group.), the control messages include "cell-add-modify" information elements. Each "cell-add-modify" element contains dedicated parameters, including a cell index for a specific secondary cell. This allows the base station to identify and configure individual secondary cells.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein said plurality of dedicated parameters further comprise a time alignment timer parameter for each cell group in said plurality of cell groups.
In the method described in Claim 1 (A base station manages wireless communication by sending control messages to devices, configuring multiple cells including secondary cells. These secondary cells are assigned to cell groups, either a primary cell group or secondary cell groups. The primary cell group uses a primary cell's synchronization signal for uplink transmissions. Secondary cell groups use a synchronization signal from an activated secondary cell as a timing reference. Control messages include dedicated parameters with cell group indexes. If a secondary cell has a cell group index in the parameters, it's assigned to that secondary cell group; otherwise, it's assigned to the primary cell group. The base station receives a random access preamble from a secondary cell group and responds with a timing advance command for that group.), the dedicated parameters include a time alignment timer for each cell group. This timer helps maintain synchronization between the wireless device and the base station for each cell group, ensuring proper uplink transmission timing.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein said plurality of dedicated parameters further comprise an activation timer for said at least one secondary cell.
In the method described in Claim 1 (A base station manages wireless communication by sending control messages to devices, configuring multiple cells including secondary cells. These secondary cells are assigned to cell groups, either a primary cell group or secondary cell groups. The primary cell group uses a primary cell's synchronization signal for uplink transmissions. Secondary cell groups use a synchronization signal from an activated secondary cell as a timing reference. Control messages include dedicated parameters with cell group indexes. If a secondary cell has a cell group index in the parameters, it's assigned to that secondary cell group; otherwise, it's assigned to the primary cell group. The base station receives a random access preamble from a secondary cell group and responds with a timing advance command for that group.), the dedicated parameters further include an activation timer for each secondary cell. This timer manages the active state of each secondary cell, controlling when the cell is used for communication.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein said at least one control message configured to further cause in said wireless device configuration of a time alignment timer for each of said plurality of cell groups, said time alignment timer starting or restarting in response to said wireless device receiving a timing advance command to adjust uplink transmission timing of a commanded cell group in said plurality of cell groups.
In the method described in Claim 1 (A base station manages wireless communication by sending control messages to devices, configuring multiple cells including secondary cells. These secondary cells are assigned to cell groups, either a primary cell group or secondary cell groups. The primary cell group uses a primary cell's synchronization signal for uplink transmissions. Secondary cell groups use a synchronization signal from an activated secondary cell as a timing reference. Control messages include dedicated parameters with cell group indexes. If a secondary cell has a cell group index in the parameters, it's assigned to that secondary cell group; otherwise, it's assigned to the primary cell group. The base station receives a random access preamble from a secondary cell group and responds with a timing advance command for that group.), the control message configures a time alignment timer for each cell group. This timer starts or restarts when the wireless device receives a timing advance command. The timing advance command adjusts the uplink transmission timing for the specific cell group it commands.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein transmission timing of said random access preamble being determined, at least in part, employing said second synchronization signal.
In the method described in Claim 1 (A base station manages wireless communication by sending control messages to devices, configuring multiple cells including secondary cells. These secondary cells are assigned to cell groups, either a primary cell group or secondary cell groups. The primary cell group uses a primary cell's synchronization signal for uplink transmissions. Secondary cell groups use a synchronization signal from an activated secondary cell as a timing reference. Control messages include dedicated parameters with cell group indexes. If a secondary cell has a cell group index in the parameters, it's assigned to that secondary cell group; otherwise, it's assigned to the primary cell group. The base station receives a random access preamble from a secondary cell group and responds with a timing advance command for that group.), the transmission timing of the random access preamble is partly determined by the second synchronization signal. The synchronization signal is transmitted by the secondary cell group.
9. The method of claim 8 , further comprising transmitting, by said base station, at least one timing advance command to said wireless device, said timing advance command comprising: a) a time adjustment value; and b) an index identifying said secondary cell group; and wherein said at least one timing advance command configured to cause substantial alignment of reception timing of uplink signals in frames and subframes of said secondary cell group at said base station.
The method described in Claim 8 (In the method described in Claim 1 (A base station manages wireless communication by sending control messages to devices, configuring multiple cells including secondary cells. These secondary cells are assigned to cell groups, either a primary cell group or secondary cell groups. The primary cell group uses a primary cell's synchronization signal for uplink transmissions. Secondary cell groups use a synchronization signal from an activated secondary cell as a timing reference. Control messages include dedicated parameters with cell group indexes. If a secondary cell has a cell group index in the parameters, it's assigned to that secondary cell group; otherwise, it's assigned to the primary cell group. The base station receives a random access preamble from a secondary cell group and responds with a timing advance command for that group.), the transmission timing of the random access preamble is partly determined by the second synchronization signal. The synchronization signal is transmitted by the secondary cell group.) further includes the base station transmitting a timing advance command to the wireless device. This timing advance command comprises a time adjustment value and an index identifying the secondary cell group. This command aligns the uplink signal reception timing for the specific secondary cell group at the base station.
10. A base station comprising: a) one or more communication interfaces; b) one or more processors; and c) memory storing instructions that, when executed, cause said base station to: i) transmit at least one control message to a wireless device, said at least one control message: (1) configured to cause in said wireless device: (a) configuration of a plurality of cells comprising at least one secondary cell; and (b) assignment of each of said at least one secondary cell to a cell group in a plurality of cell groups, said plurality of cell groups comprising: (i) a primary cell group comprising a first subset of said plurality of cells, said first subset comprising a primary cell; and (ii) at least one secondary cell group, a first secondary cell group in said at least one secondary cell group comprising a second subset of said at least one secondary cell; and (2) comprising a plurality of dedicated parameters comprising a sequence of at least one first information element, each of said at least one first information element comprising: a first cell group index of a first secondary cell group and a first time alignment timer for said first secondary cell group, wherein for each of said at least one secondary cell: (a) if said plurality of dedicated parameters comprise a cell group index for said secondary cell, assigning said secondary cell to one of said at least one secondary cell group identified by said cell group index; and (b) otherwise, assigning said secondary cell to said primary cell group; ii) receive a random access preamble on random access resources of a secondary cell in said secondary cell group; and iii) transmit a random access response on said primary cell, said random access response comprising a timing advance command for said secondary cell group.
A base station includes communication interfaces, processors, and memory. The memory stores instructions to transmit control messages to wireless devices, configuring multiple cells including secondary cells. Secondary cells are assigned to either a primary or secondary cell group. The primary cell group includes a primary cell. Secondary cell groups include at least one secondary cell. Control messages include dedicated parameters with cell group indexes. If a secondary cell has a cell group index, it's assigned to that secondary cell group; otherwise, it's assigned to the primary cell group. The base station receives a random access preamble from a secondary cell group and transmits a random access response with a timing advance command for that group.
11. The base station of claim 10 , wherein said at least one control message comprises at least one cell-add-modify information element, each of said at least one cell-add-modify information element comprises a first plurality of dedicated parameters in said plurality of dedicated parameters, said first plurality of dedicated parameters comprising a first cell index for a first secondary cell in said at least one secondary cell.
In the base station described in Claim 10 (A base station includes communication interfaces, processors, and memory. The memory stores instructions to transmit control messages to wireless devices, configuring multiple cells including secondary cells. Secondary cells are assigned to either a primary or secondary cell group. The primary cell group includes a primary cell. Secondary cell groups include at least one secondary cell. Control messages include dedicated parameters with cell group indexes. If a secondary cell has a cell group index, it's assigned to that secondary cell group; otherwise, it's assigned to the primary cell group. The base station receives a random access preamble from a secondary cell group and transmits a random access response with a timing advance command for that group.), the control messages include "cell-add-modify" information elements. Each "cell-add-modify" element contains dedicated parameters, including a cell index for a specific secondary cell.
12. The base station of claim 10 , wherein said plurality of dedicated parameters further comprise a time alignment timer parameter for each cell group in said plurality of cell groups.
In the base station described in Claim 10 (A base station includes communication interfaces, processors, and memory. The memory stores instructions to transmit control messages to wireless devices, configuring multiple cells including secondary cells. Secondary cells are assigned to either a primary or secondary cell group. The primary cell group includes a primary cell. Secondary cell groups include at least one secondary cell. Control messages include dedicated parameters with cell group indexes. If a secondary cell has a cell group index, it's assigned to that secondary cell group; otherwise, it's assigned to the primary cell group. The base station receives a random access preamble from a secondary cell group and transmits a random access response with a timing advance command for that group.), the dedicated parameters include a time alignment timer for each cell group.
13. The base station of claim 10 , wherein said plurality of wireless devices are compatible with LTE release 11 or above and support configuration of multiple cell groups.
In the base station described in Claim 10 (A base station includes communication interfaces, processors, and memory. The memory stores instructions to transmit control messages to wireless devices, configuring multiple cells including secondary cells. Secondary cells are assigned to either a primary or secondary cell group. The primary cell group includes a primary cell. Secondary cell groups include at least one secondary cell. Control messages include dedicated parameters with cell group indexes. If a secondary cell has a cell group index, it's assigned to that secondary cell group; otherwise, it's assigned to the primary cell group. The base station receives a random access preamble from a secondary cell group and transmits a random access response with a timing advance command for that group.), the wireless devices are compatible with LTE release 11 or above and support multiple cell group configurations.
14. The base station of claim 10 , wherein said plurality of dedicated parameters further comprise an activation timer for said at least one secondary cell.
In the base station described in Claim 10 (A base station includes communication interfaces, processors, and memory. The memory stores instructions to transmit control messages to wireless devices, configuring multiple cells including secondary cells. Secondary cells are assigned to either a primary or secondary cell group. The primary cell group includes a primary cell. Secondary cell groups include at least one secondary cell. Control messages include dedicated parameters with cell group indexes. If a secondary cell has a cell group index, it's assigned to that secondary cell group; otherwise, it's assigned to the primary cell group. The base station receives a random access preamble from a secondary cell group and transmits a random access response with a timing advance command for that group.), the dedicated parameters further include an activation timer for each secondary cell.
15. A wireless device comprising: a) one or more communication interfaces; b) one or more processors; and c) memory storing instructions that, when executed, cause said wireless device to: i) receive at least one control message from a base station, said at least one control message: (1) causing in said wireless device: (a) configuration of a plurality of cells comprising at least one secondary cell; and (b) assignment of each of said at least one secondary cell to a cell group in a plurality of cell groups, said plurality of cell groups comprising: (i) a primary cell group comprising a first subset of said plurality of cells, said first subset comprising a primary cell; and (ii) at least one secondary cell group, a first secondary cell group in said at least one secondary cell group comprising a second subset of said at least one secondary cell; and (2) comprising a plurality of dedicated parameters comprising a sequence of at least one first information element, each of said at least one first information element comprising: a first cell group index of a first secondary cell group and a first time alignment timer for said first secondary cell group, wherein for each of said at least one secondary cell: (a) if said plurality of dedicated parameters comprise a cell group index for said secondary cell, assigning said secondary cell to one of said at least one secondary cell group identified by said cell group index; and (b) otherwise, assigning said secondary cell to said primary cell group; ii) transmit a random access preamble on random access resources of a secondary cell in said secondary cell group in response to receiving a control command from said base station; and iii) receive a random access response on said primary cell, said random access response comprising a timing advance command for said secondary cell group.
A wireless device includes communication interfaces, processors, and memory. The memory stores instructions to receive control messages from a base station, configuring multiple cells including secondary cells. Secondary cells are assigned to either a primary or secondary cell group. The primary cell group includes a primary cell. Secondary cell groups include at least one secondary cell. Control messages include dedicated parameters with cell group indexes. If a secondary cell has a cell group index, it's assigned to that secondary cell group; otherwise, it's assigned to the primary cell group. The device transmits a random access preamble on a secondary cell group and receives a random access response on the primary cell with a timing advance command for that group, after receiving a control command to do so.
16. The wireless device of claim 15 , wherein said at least one control message configured to further cause in said wireless device configuration of a time alignment timer for each of said plurality of cell groups, said time alignment timer starting or restarting in response to said wireless device receiving a timing advance command to adjust uplink transmission timing of a commanded cell group in said plurality of cell groups.
In the wireless device described in Claim 15 (A wireless device includes communication interfaces, processors, and memory. The memory stores instructions to receive control messages from a base station, configuring multiple cells including secondary cells. Secondary cells are assigned to either a primary or secondary cell group. The primary cell group includes a primary cell. Secondary cell groups include at least one secondary cell. Control messages include dedicated parameters with cell group indexes. If a secondary cell has a cell group index, it's assigned to that secondary cell group; otherwise, it's assigned to the primary cell group. The device transmits a random access preamble on a secondary cell group and receives a random access response on the primary cell with a timing advance command for that group, after receiving a control command to do so.), the control message configures a time alignment timer for each cell group. This timer starts or restarts when the wireless device receives a timing advance command to adjust the uplink transmission timing for that cell group.
17. The wireless device of claim 15 , wherein said plurality of dedicated parameters further comprise a time alignment timer parameter for each cell group in said plurality of cell groups.
In the wireless device described in Claim 15 (A wireless device includes communication interfaces, processors, and memory. The memory stores instructions to receive control messages from a base station, configuring multiple cells including secondary cells. Secondary cells are assigned to either a primary or secondary cell group. The primary cell group includes a primary cell. Secondary cell groups include at least one secondary cell. Control messages include dedicated parameters with cell group indexes. If a secondary cell has a cell group index, it's assigned to that secondary cell group; otherwise, it's assigned to the primary cell group. The device transmits a random access preamble on a secondary cell group and receives a random access response on the primary cell with a timing advance command for that group, after receiving a control command to do so.), the dedicated parameters include a time alignment timer for each cell group.
18. The wireless device of claim 15 , wherein said plurality of dedicated parameters: a) are specific to said wireless device in a plurality of wireless devices; b) comprise a first dedicated parameter applicable to all activated secondary cells in at least one secondary cell; and c) comprise a second dedicated parameter, being secondary cell specific, and being applicable to only one secondary cell in said at least one secondary cell.
In the wireless device described in Claim 15 (A wireless device includes communication interfaces, processors, and memory. The memory stores instructions to receive control messages from a base station, configuring multiple cells including secondary cells. Secondary cells are assigned to either a primary or secondary cell group. The primary cell group includes a primary cell. Secondary cell groups include at least one secondary cell. Control messages include dedicated parameters with cell group indexes. If a secondary cell has a cell group index, it's assigned to that secondary cell group; otherwise, it's assigned to the primary cell group. The device transmits a random access preamble on a secondary cell group and receives a random access response on the primary cell with a timing advance command for that group, after receiving a control command to do so.), the dedicated parameters are specific to the wireless device, include a first dedicated parameter applicable to all activated secondary cells, and include a second dedicated parameter specific to only one secondary cell.
19. The wireless device of claim 15 , wherein said instructions further cause said wireless device to receive a timing advance command from said base station, said timing advance command configured to cause substantial alignment of reception timing of uplink signals in frames and subframes of a cell group at said base station, said timing advance command comprising an index identifying said cell group.
In the wireless device described in Claim 15 (A wireless device includes communication interfaces, processors, and memory. The memory stores instructions to receive control messages from a base station, configuring multiple cells including secondary cells. Secondary cells are assigned to either a primary or secondary cell group. The primary cell group includes a primary cell. Secondary cell groups include at least one secondary cell. Control messages include dedicated parameters with cell group indexes. If a secondary cell has a cell group index, it's assigned to that secondary cell group; otherwise, it's assigned to the primary cell group. The device transmits a random access preamble on a secondary cell group and receives a random access response on the primary cell with a timing advance command for that group, after receiving a control command to do so.), the instructions further cause the device to receive a timing advance command. The command aligns uplink signals for a cell group at the base station and includes an index identifying the cell group.
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May 22, 2013
September 24, 2013
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